Up to 600 children will learn to cycle safely on Island roads this year thanks to the Isle of Wight Council’s new team of cycling instructors.
The announcement comes following a £14,575 cash injection from the Department for Transport (DfT) as part of a government aim to offer cycle training for children and their families across England.
The 5 newly qualified instructors will teach children road safety skills, under the national Bikeability cycling proficiency scheme.
Welcoming the news, Councillor Phil Jordan, Cabinet lead for transport and infrastructure, said:
“This is great news for Island youngsters.
“This training will give them the confidence they need to cycle to school. It will give children important road safety skills to carry through to adulthood and may encourage parents to swap the car for a bike and join them.”
New cycling instructor, Dan Storey, from East Cowes, said: “I’ve always felt like I wanted to try to give something back to the community. I saw this as a fantastic opportunity to try to inspire the next generation of cyclists.
“I’ve loved every minute of doing this so far. Seeing the kids smiling when cycling around the playground or overcoming their fears when out on the road makes it worthwhile.
Article continues below this advertisement “If I can teach children how to ride on the roads and grow their confidence, the children can encourage their parents to ride with them. Getting some family Bikeability sessions can help inspire generations of a family to cycle safely together.
“Understanding the rules of the road and following them makes the road a safer place for all road users.”
Councillor Jonathan Bacon, Cabinet lead for environment, added:
“If youngsters cycle more often to school with their parents, not only will it benefit their health but it will also benefit the environment, improving air quality and reducing carbon emissions.”
If you would like to discuss Bikeability for your school or children or would like to train as an instructor, email sports development officer, Alec Broome, at [email protected].
Further information about the national Bikeability scheme can be found at https://bikeability.org.uk/bikeability-training/.
Please also include e- scooter training and emergency first aid training.
It’s the lycra clad adults that need the training…..
please teach them to pull over when they got more then 10 cars behind them going up hill
Please teach them to use the islands large amount of cycle tracks rather than the roads.